Photos of Excel Precision Helium-Neon Lasers

Like HP (now Agilent), Excel Precision also manufactures what is called a
"Two-Frequency HeNe Laser" for use in their interferometry based measurement
and calibration systems. There are several versions having different
cases and/or connectors but are all based on the same basic design.
The 1001A and 1001F are in a similar small case and are physically and
electrically compatible with the HP-5517B/C/D except that the REF
frequency range is 1.5 to 3.0 MHz. The 1001B is in a larger case
compatible with the HP-5517A.

The Excel lasers are Zeeman-split two-frequency HeNe lasers similar to those
manufactured by HP/Agilent but based on a totally different implementation.
Much more information on these lasers can be found in the chapter:
Commercial Stabilized HeNe Lasers
of Sam's Laser FAQ.

View 06 - Left side interior view. This shows the control PCB with
its five (5) trimpots! :) The green connectors are from left to right:
Photodiode input, Tube heater, HeNe laser power supply, Power/Reference,
LEDs.

View 08 - Right side interior view. The HeNe laser power supply
is at the lower right with the ballast resistor at the lower left.
The fat red (anode) and gray (cathode) wires are clearly visible.
Unlike the 1001f, this HeNe laser power supply does not appear to
be shielded.

The Excel 1001B is a physical, electrical, and functional clone of the
HP-5517A, though the case looks more normal. :) As with the 1001A,
the REF frequency is spec'd to be from 1.5 to 3.0 MHz (rather than
1.5 to 2.0 MHz for the HP/Agilent 5517A).

View 06 - Left side interior view. This shows the control PCB with
its five (5) trimpots! :) The green connectors are from left to right:
Photodiode input, Tube heater, HeNe laser power supply, Power/Reference,
LEDs.

View 08 - Right side interior view. The HeNe laser power supply
is at the lower right with the ballast resistor at the lower left.
The fat red (anode) and gray (cathode) wires are clearly visible.
Unlike the 1001f, this HeNe laser power supply does not appear to
be shielded.

The Excel 1001F is a physical, electrical, and functional clone of the
HP/Agilent 5517B/C. The two 5517 models are included because the REF
frequency of all the 1001s is spec'd to be from 1.5 to 3.0 MHz (which
includes the 5517B at 1.9 to 2.4 MHz and the 5517C at 2.4 to 3.0 MHz).
It is not known whether this may be selected at the time of manufacture,
or it is simply the range over which the Excel lasers may operate.

View 06 - Left side interior view. This shows the control PCB with
its five (5) trimpots! :) The green connectors are from left to right:
Photodiode input, Tube heater, HeNe laser power supply, Power/Reference,
LEDs.

View 08 - Right side interior view. The shielded HeNe laser power
supply is at the lower right with the ballast resistor at the lower left.
The fat red (anode) and gray (cathode) wires are clearly visible.

View 09 - Closup of control PCB. A similar or identical board is used
in all the Excel lasers.